New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-07
ARMED AND BOUND BY OATHS.
A WHOLE COUNTY IN A STATE OF SIEGE.
AN OLD FEUD BREAKING OUT ANEW IN ILLINOIS
TWO VICTIMS ALREADY MURDERED.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE ThIBUNEsI
CHICAGO. Sept. Ga letter from Elzabethtown,
Ill. says that the notorious BetOldham feud, which
las caused the murder of not than dozen per-
sons in Hardin County is likely TO break forth again
at any time. Oath-bound organizations are known
to exist among the lawless people OF the hills, and
these have demonstrated that their Is assas
sination.
The feud began with the murder of q Doc Old.
ham by Logan Belt in 1876. The neighborhood
divided into factions over the affair. AT this time the
" Sons OF Liberty, who committed so many outrages
aud assassinatons. were formed. While the excite
ment in regard to this organization ran bIgh, Belt
arraigncd for the murder OF q" Doc " Oldham.
He tried a change of venue at shawneetown
aud sentenced to fifteen years In the pentehtary lie
served six years and then pardoned by Governor
Oglesby.
During his Incarceration ugly rumors reached him
about the cond act of his wife and daughters; and
wien he reached home, he divorced from his wlfe
and drove his dau ghters from homo Then his wifes
brother who had been associated with Belt In numer-
crimes, went before the Grand Jury IN the ran OF
1856 and gave his testimony resulting In the indct-
meut OF Logan Belt {" jim . Belt, Earl Sherwood,
George RatciH, Henry Ledbetter aud Matthew
Ledbetter tor the murder OF Luke Hambrink.
On the morning of the indictment Logan Belt ar
peared in Elzabethtown with q new BRIDE lie was
promptly arrested together with the others indicted
with him. They were arragned in April last, ana
alter ten days trial tue jury returned verdict OF
The desire for revenge in the breasts OF the enemies
OF Logan Belt and his clansmen prompted them TO
become assassns Belt was warned OF his danger
and kept his wife constantly by his side as precau
ton. But on the evening OF June last ne droye
along the public highway unattended, anu at the
OF rlhe irom clnmp OF bushes near lhe roau
side he fell from his buggy dead. Noices we're sent
to other members OF tho Belt faction to 90 or they
would be killed. Jim Bolt was preri ring TO- co.
but the evening OF July Is he was riddied with
charge OF buckshot within halt mile OF his own own
house. George Raclla, another memuer OF the Beit
is ction, was with Jim +" Belt when be was kliied,
aud only saved his le by running away: Tic has
received notice leave Hardin County, but at last
accounts he safely g risoned at the home of his
brotbcr-ina County Jadge Jacob Hess.
The other mem OF the Belt faction have received
similar notices and some OF them have o0eyed Ihe
friends OF both sides go armed daily, ana oann
Themselves together for protection at night. Many
OF them afraid sleep in their houses, but win
guns by their sides, lie beneath tho shade OF bushes,
Alternating with one another in sentry work me
Governor has olered the customary rewards ior inc
arrest OF the Ass Issins OF Logan and jim Bet,
but no one il brave enough to mcddle with those
dangerous mysteries. Strangers IN passing through
that meet with cool reception ana are
warned TO 20 else where.